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Priority Large Forested Areas

Overview

This layer depicts the matrix forest blocks selected by The Nature Conservancy as the most viable examples of the dominant forest communities throughout the state. Matrix sites are large contiguous areas whose size and natural condition allow for the maintenance of ecological processes, viable occurrences of matrix forest communities, embedded large and small patch communities, and embedded species populations. They are resistant, resilient, and persistent over time.

Data Layer Description

Source

The Nature Conservancy, New York Natural Heritage Program

Location

Description

The goal of the matrix forest selection was to identify viable examples of the dominant forest types that, if protected and allowed to regain their natural condition, would serve as critical source areas for all species requiring interior forest conditions or associated with the dominant forest types.

For most of the ecoregions in New York, these matrix-forming ecosystem targets were selected as part of their extensive Ecoregional Planning process. This was never conducted for the Great Lakes Ecoregion and thus the Nature Conservancy in New York and the New York Natural Heritage Program identified a small set of blocks (nine additional) for this ecoregion. In total, there are 114 matrix forest blocks occurring at least in part in New York State.

How to get the data layer

These data are available for viewing but not, at this time, available in downloadable GIS format.

How you might make use of this data layer

This layer identifies viable examples of the dominant forest types that, if protected and allowed to regain their natural condition, would serve as critical source areas for all species requiring interior forest conditions or associated with the dominant forest types. These areas would make ideal conservation targets and should be considered when planning for new development.